We all know that feeling. Around mid-summer when school’s been out just long enough to feel like the novelty of it has worn off, the temperatures outside keep rising, friends are gone on vacation, and then our kiddos start to complain of that dreaded feeling we all know too well…boredom. So what do we do when the boredom bug bites our kids and teens, and how can we use that to our advantage?
In the age of technology, we have developed a compulsive need to never feel devoid of entertainment and the means by which we never have to, but is that hindering what our kids need most to thrive and flourish?
While technology can be valuable and useful in many ways, before we steer our kids to the next technological device, summer camp away from home, or sports team to join in order to ward off the boredom bug, maybe we can pause to consider how we can channel both our and our children’s good desires for connection and stimulation to help us have a more satisfying relationship.
No matter what age, kids, teens, and adults were made to have relationships in which they feel safe and secure. For our children and teens, that starts with parents. When we engage with our kids and seek to connect with them, we are building the foundations for them to feel safe and to regulate their own emotions and behavior.
Connecting with your child is the most important thing you can do for your child to help them heal past wounds and develop into mature adults. When we connect with our children, we are telling them: “you are precious, and you matter to me”. When our kids feel seen and heard by us, they begin to trust us and open their hearts to us. Not only that, but our kids begin to internalize those positive messages we send to them about their value to us, which helps build their self-confidence and resilience in the face of adversity.
So, what does it look like to connect with our kids and teens in a way that strengthens our relationship and nurtures their growth as human beings?
In the coming weeks I will break down 7 features associated with enriching your time spent connecting with your child and teen, so stay tuned as we dig in deeper to what this looks like on a practical level.